If I Couldn't Be Anne - Kallie George - ★★.½

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AUTHOR: Kallie George
ILLUSTRATOR: Geneviève Godbout
GENRE: Children's Picture Book
PUBLICATION DATE: May 12, 2020
RATING: 2.5 stars.


In a Nutshell: A picture book about the Anne most readers know. Might work better for adults than kids.


This is a story about a little girl with a big imagination, who wonders what she would do if she weren’t Anne, i.e. Anne with an E. As a picture book, it shows little readers a young girl who soars as high as she can in her imaginary world, but comes to the eventual conclusion that some things are better in reality. But to adult readers, it shows Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables. Those familiar with L.M.M. Montgomery’s classic will catch many Easter eggs in this version, such as the reference to Cordelia or the comparison between green hair and red hair or even the oft-repeated phrase ‘Anne with an E’.

I appreciate how this story stays true to the original characterisation of Anne. At the same time, I am confused about its intent behind using Anne of Green Gables as a source of inspiration. If you missed that tiny tagline on the cover saying ‘Inspired by Anne of Green Gables’, you might not even understand that the girl is meant to be Anne Shirley. Except for the included Easter eggs, nothing in the story needed the classic. Basically, this book could have been written with any young girl in the lead and still delivered the same impact.

I guess the allusion to the classic will create nostalgia in fans of the original Anne with an E. But as this is a picture book meant for kids and not parents, the purpose is slightly diluted. After all, kids aged 3-7 won't know the original, hence many of the references might fall flat. Would they be motivated to read the classic after reading this mini version? I am not really sure, so parents will have a long wait before they learn if the book was successful in spurring further interest in Anne.

The story is written in lyrical prose that is quite vivid and contains many descriptive and action words. The flow is somewhat stream-of-consciousness, with most pages containing Anne’s declarations of what she would do if she weren’t Anne, and her flights of fancy go in all directions. Some words might be too difficult for younger readers.

The illustrations are apt for the content, offering a beautiful old-world charm and elegance that suits the content well.

Not sure if I want to recommend this, despite the soothing illustrations and the nostalgia factor. It might work better for parents who are kindred spirits of Anne than for kids.

2.5 stars, rounding up wherever applicable for the artwork.

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